Proverbs 31

1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

1 Misemo ya Mfalme Lemueli, usia wa mama yake aliyomfundisha:

2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

2 “Ee mwanangu, ee mwana wa tumbo langu, ee mwana wa nadhiri zangu,

3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

3 Usitumie nguvu zako kwa wanawake, uhodari wako kwa wale wanaowaharibu wafalme.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

4 “Ee Lemueli, haifai wafalme, haifai wafalme kunywa mvinyo, haifai watawala kutamani sana kileo,

5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

5 wasije wakanywa na kusahau vile sheria inavyoamuru na kuwanyima haki zao wote walioonewa.

6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

6 Wape kileo wale wanaoangamia, mvinyo wale walio na uchungu,

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

7 Wanywe na kusahau umaskini wao na wasikumbuke taabu yao tena.

8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

8 “Sema kwa ajili ya wale wasioweza kujisemea, kwa ajili ya haki za wote walioachwa ukiwa.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

9 Sema na uamue kwa haki, tetea haki za maskini na wahitaji.”

10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

10 Mke mwenye sifa nzuri, ni nani awezaye kumpata? Yeye ni wa thamani sana kuliko marijani.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

11 Mume wake anamwamini kikamilifu wala hakosi kitu chochote cha thamani.

12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

12 Humtendea mumewe mema, wala si mabaya, siku zote za maisha yake.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

13 Huchagua sufu na kitani naye hufanya kazi kwa mikono yenye bidii.

14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

14 Yeye ni kama meli za biashara akileta chakula chake kutoka mbali.

15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

15 Yeye huamka kungali bado giza huwapa jamaa yake chakula na mafungu kwa watumishi wake wa kike.

16 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

16 Huangalia shamba na kulinunua, kutokana na mapato yake hupanda shamba la mizabibu.

17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

17 Hufanya kazi zake kwa nguvu, mikono yake ina nguvu kwa ajili ya kazi zake.

18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

18 Huona kwamba biashara yake ina faida, wala taa yake haizimiki usiku.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

19 Huweka mikono yake kwenye pia, navyo vidole vyake hushikilia kijiti chenye uzi.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

20 Huwanyooshea maskini mikono yake na kuwakunjulia wahitaji vitanga vyake.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

21 Theluji ishukapo, hana hofu kwa ajili ya watu wa nyumbani mwake, kwa maana wote wamevikwa nguo za kutia joto.

22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

22 Hutengeneza mazulia ya urembo ya kufunika kitanda chake, yeye huvaa kitani safi na urujuani.

23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

23 Mume wake anaheshimiwa kwenye lango la mji, aketipo miongoni mwa wazee wa nchi.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

24 Hutengeneza mavazi ya kitani na kuyauza, naye huwauzia wafanyabiashara mishipi.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

25 Amevikwa nguvu na heshima, anaweza kucheka bila kuwa na hofu kwa siku zijazo.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

26 Huzungumza kwa hekima na mafundisho ya kuaminika yapo ulimini mwake.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

27 Huangalia mambo ya nyumbani mwake wala hali chakula cha uvivu.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

28 Watoto wake huamka na kumwita aliyebarikiwa, mumewe pia humsifu, akisema:

29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

29 “Wanawake wengi hufanya vitu vyenye sifa nzuri, lakini wewe umewapita wote.”

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

30 Kujipamba ili kuvutia ni udanganyifu na uzuri unapita upesi, bali mwanamke anayemcha Bwana atasifiwa.

31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.

31 Mpe thawabu anayostahili, nazo kazi zake na zimletee sifa kwenye lango la mji.